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Helix - Simple Guide basics for oldies


airguitargb
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Hi All 

 

I need help please. I've had over last 15 years POD XT Live, HD500 but not played for 10 years. Just acquired a Helix but really struggling with understanding basics. My brain is fried with IRs, Snapshots etc etc.

 

I am 58 and trying to start playing again amp free to save lugging cabs about etc and going DI into PA. Cover band music so mix of clean, rhythm, lead with certain effects for specific songs 

 

So far I have managed to download from a guy i saw on you tube some patches for clean, rhythm and lead which are ok but now i want to try and adapt some to create my own and despite looking at L6 and other you tube guides its all too fast for me

 

Can anyone direct me to really slow dumb level guides please 

 

PS another question - can I use a standard powered wedge monitor for my helix sounds and vocal monitor ?

 

Thanks 

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On 3/3/2026 at 12:05 PM, airguitargb said:

Can anyone direct me to really slow dumb level guides please 

 

Here ya go - start out with the bite size chunks videos.

 

https://line6.com/support/helix-minutes/

 

As for the "oldies" thing - pah! You're a mere child - there are quite a few forum users who are beyond their allotted years of "three score and ten".

 

Then when it come to listening to your Helix, please read this:

 

https://blog.line6.com/2023/09/15/eric-klein-at-least-half-of-your-modelers-sound-is-determined-by-your-playback-system/

 

Hope this helps/makes sense.

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On 3/3/2026 at 4:05 AM, airguitargb said:

Hi All 

 

I need help please. I've had over last 15 years POD XT Live, HD500 but not played for 10 years. Just acquired a Helix but really struggling with understanding basics. My brain is fried with IRs, Snapshots etc etc.

 

I am 58 and trying to start playing again amp free to save lugging cabs about etc and going DI into PA. Cover band music so mix of clean, rhythm, lead with certain effects for specific songs 

 

So far I have managed to download from a guy i saw on you tube some patches for clean, rhythm and lead which are ok but now i want to try and adapt some to create my own and despite looking at L6 and other you tube guides its all too fast for me

 

Can anyone direct me to really slow dumb level guides please 

 

PS another question - can I use a standard powered wedge monitor for my helix sounds and vocal monitor ?

 

Thanks 

 

airguitargb,

 

Never fear.  You will not just figure it out, you will have fun with the unlimited ways the Helix can open your mind.  Also, I can't believe I am a few months away from being 76 years old.  I started the path to the Helix about 10 years ago and have not looked back.  I did just trade up but that discussion is for another time.

 

There is a person by the name of Jason who is one of many Helix tutorial "kings" on youtube.  You can start by listening to the default presets that come with the Helix.  Many are named "similar" to the songs they represent. 

 

I found that a decent 250k ohm open back headphone set like the beyerdynamic dt990 works well for in room testing for tone and sound level.  datacommando is correct hat you will need to work with the sound person for your playback system.  I would continually work with our soundman at least once a month when possible. 

 

Anyway, here is Jason's Line 6 KB page and also his youtube channel.  And as you search you will find more tutorial videos.  You should find that your pace will quicken as you develop a self-learning path as most of us have.

 

https://kb.line6.com/helix-tutorials-by-jason-sadites

 

https://www.youtube.com/@JasonSadites/search?query=Helix Floor

 

You will want to focus on the Helix Floor as opposed to the Helix Stadium XL for now.

 

Again, have fun and enjoy the ride.

 

jpd

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If you understood the 500, you will (with time) get the Helix.

 

I went from the 500xHD to a Helix about 10 years ago. The sound quality jump was amazing, as was the learning curve.

 

Stick with it. Jason Sadites has already been mentioned. I also used Marco Fanton (youtube) as a resource and dropped a couple of each's presets to help understand it.

 

FWIW I went from tweaking every preset on the 500HDx EVRY gig to reviewing patches occasionally with the Helix once I got it. I use a patch per song with minimal reuse.

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FWIW...

I'm a 58 yo "child", too. I got mine in 2021, IIRC. It took me a while to get my head around it, but it's worth it.

Patience, and Jason Sadites videos got me there. I also found the Worship Tutorial Channel useful. I think it's more about understanding the initial setup and preferences for your circumstances that makes the difference.

If you can, you need to set aside an afternoon from time to time and just mess about with it.

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